Located in the San Francisco Bay Area , and immediately south of San Francisco sharing its northern border with almost all of San Francisco's southern border , it is named for businessman and landowner John Donald Daly. The population was , at the census. An US government survey declared that the contested area was in fact government property and could be acquired by private citizens.
There was a brief land rush as settlers, mainly Irish established ranches and farms in parts of what is now the neighborhoods of Westlake , Serramonte , and the cities of Colma and Pacifica. The few remaining families switched to dairy and cattle farming as a more profitable enterprise. Broderick , a Free Soil advocate, and David S. Terry , who was in favor of extension of slavery into California. Quarreling and political fighting between the two eventually led to a duel in the Lake Merced area at which Terry mortally wounded Broderick, who would die three days later.
On the morning of April 18, , a major earthquake struck just off the coast of Daly City near Mussel Rock. Over the years Daly's business grew, as did his political clout. As some of the refugees established homes in the area, the need for city services grew. This, combined with the fear of annexation by San Francisco and being ignored by San Mateo County, whose seat far to the south left residents feeling ignored, created a demand for incorporation.
The first such attempt was proposed in for incorporation as the city of Vista Grande. The proposal was rejected over the scope of the planned city, which was too broad for many residents. The city would have an estimated population of 2, It remained a relatively small community until the late s, when developer Henry Doelger established Westlake , a major district of homes and businesses, including the Westlake Shopping Center.
Beginning in the s Filipino Americans began to purchase homes east of Junipero Serra Boulevard, as they were barred from the Westlake development due to racial covenants. The line was extended south to Colma in and then to Millbrae and the San Francisco International Airport in The museum houses exhibits related to Daly City's history and maintains an archive of photos and documents.
